Travelers with Disabilities

In the Valley of the Sun and Sedona [1], hotels, restaurants, attractions, and public transportation are easy to access thanks in large part to the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, the Sonoran Desert’s rugged terrain can be difficult to navigate.

That said, some state and city parks are building ADA-accessible trails, like the new Gateway Access Area at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (480/998-7971, www.mcdowellsonoran.org [2]) in Scottsdale [3]. Up north, Sedona’s Jeep tours [4] offer an excellent opportunity to explore Red Rock Country [5]’s monolithic buttes up close. The off-the-highway trails can get quite bumpy, so those with disabilities may want to request a front seat, which offers a bit of neck and back support.

Also, the National Parks Service offers free admission to visitors with permanent disabilities. The lifetime America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Access Pass (www.nps.gov [6]) includes Arizona sights like Montezuma Castle [7]. The passes are available at all national parks, and documentation is required.

For more information, visit www.disabledtravelers.com [8], an Arizona-based website that offers advice, tips, and recommendations for guided tours—and not just in Arizona.